By Ladi Dapson, Maiduguri

The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has launched a massive distribution of food and non-food items to vulnerable groups during Muslims Ramadan in Maiduguri, Borno State, and its surroundings.

Speaking, Goni Mohammed Alkali, the Managing Director/CEO of NEDC, during the flagging off of the items held in Maiduguri at the weekend.

Alkali said the gesture underscored the commission’s commitment to alleviating the sufferings and hardships of the people during the fasting period in the region.

The beneficiaries include orphans, widows, persons with disabilities, women groups, youths, vigilante groups, commercial riders and drivers, security agents, traditional rulers, state and national assembly members, local and state governments, and other organisations.

Some of the items distributed include 7,000 bags of rice, 5,000 cartons of spaghetti, 7,000 cartons of vegetable oil, and non-food items: 4,000 pieces of blankets, 5,000 pieces of mats, 4,000 pieces of wrappers, and 5,000 pieces of Shadsah materials

In his words, “We are directed to hand over these food and non-food items to the people living with disabilities, widows, orphans, and orphanage homes.

“Others include security agents, emirs and chiefs, the police, military, civilians, JTF, vigilante groups, FITYANUL ISLAM, Izala, Ansaruddeen, FOMWA, commercial riders and drivers associations, and unions, among others,” Alkali said.

He noted that the commission has also extended relief items to 7,197 persons affected by flood challenges because of the Ramadan fast.

“The commission decided to reach out to all the people and groups or organisations, but we are starting today with the vulnerable groups like orphans, widows, and persons with disabilities before continuing with other groups like the security formations, traditional rulers, clubs, unions, and associations.

“We are also distributing the same food and non-food items to the people and organisations in other states of the Northeast, namely, Taraba, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, and Borno states, respectively. We did the same thing last year.” He emphasised.

While this year, we have expanded the program to include other people and groups, including the legislatures and royal fathers as well as security agencies, to enable them to reach their people also,” Mohammed said.